Queenie Choo, CEO of Vancouver-based immigrant settlement agency SUCCESS, has been appointed Honorary Captain (Navy) of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Vancouver by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). She is the first Chinese-Canadian woman to be bestowed this title.

“I am proud to appoint Queenie Choo as an Honorary Naval Captain,” said Minister of National Defence for Canada Harjit S. Sajjan. “Queenie has been a strong champion of diversity and inclusion through her work as CEO of SUCCESS. As an Honorary Naval Captain, I know she will continue to make a difference in our community and build an even stronger relationship between our Royal Canadian Navy and Canadians.”

“I’m extremely honoured to receive this appointment from the Canadian Armed Forces,” said Choo. “The CAF is well known in its commitment to diversity and inclusion, which are values that we hold dear at SUCCESS. I will do my utmost to fulfill my role and serve as a link between the CAF and the community.”

The role of a CAF Honorary appointee is to serve as an advocate for the Regiment and the CAF, and to strengthen the military’s bond with the community. Individuals in the role are expected to be an informed representative of the Department of National Defence.

“Queenie is an exemplary leader in the community and we are very pleased to see her commitment to service and inclusion recognized in this way,” said Donnie Wing, chair of SUCCESS.